THE CENTRAL AUTHORITIES HAVE INVESTIGATED 11 cases of forced demolition in the first six months of the year, taking disciplinary action against 57 officials and transferring the cases of 31 people suspected of criminal offences to the judiciary.

The numbers are rather small compared with what we have heard from across the country, but they are still cause for concern. They not only resulted in injuries and deaths, but they all took place after the Regulations on the Requisition of and Compensation for Premises on State-owned Land were promulgated in January to curtail forced demolition and subsequent disputes.

The regulations inspired hope that they would prevent local governments from direct involvement in evictions and forced demolitions, and put an end to violent confrontations between private citizens and demolition workers.